The global and the German stratigraphic nomenclature for the Permian and Triassic are harmonized. The well-established units Rotliegend, Zechstein, Buntsandstein, Muschelkalk and Keuper are classified as groups. The duration of these lithostratigraphic mapping units of Central Europe differs significantly from those of the chronostratigraphic series Lower Permian (Cisuralian), Middle Permian (Guadalupian), Upper Permian (Lopingian), Lower Triassic, Middle Triassic and Upper Triassic. The Dyas (Rotliegend + Zechstein) and the Germanic Trias are classified as supergroups (maingroups). The Dyas begins in the Carboniferous. The groups can be subdivided into subgroups, formations, and Folgen. Folgen are stratigraphic units which are bounded by approximately isochroneous “marker-planes” (Leitflächen). Folgen have a lithostratigraphic, a chronostratigraphic, and, sometimes, a tectonostratigraphic component. Usually, a Folge is lithologically heterogeneous. It can be composed by several formations and/or members (subformations). A Folge corresponds to one formation only seldom. In Germany Folgen are defined in the Zechstein and Buntsandstein. Their application to the Muschelkalk and Keuper is under discussion.

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Menning, M. (2000): Stratigraphische Nomenklatur für die Germanische Trias (von Alberti 1834) und die Dyas (Marcou 1859, Geinitz 1861). Zeitschrift für geologische Wissenschaften, 28, 1/2, 281-290.